Benefits of Mineral Licks for Whitetail Deer

1. Improved Antler Development

This is the number one reason that most hunters put out mineral sites.  Let’s face it, if we didn’t believe that it could make a difference, we wouldn’t waste time and money.  Whitetail deer, especially bucks, need many minerals for strong, healthy antlers. Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are needed during the growing season of the antlers—late spring to early fall.

Each of these minerals can be found naturally but in some areas of the whitetail’s habitat range, those necessary minerals might not be as abundant this is where the whitetail deer herd can benefit the most via mineral supplementation.  The mineral licks will provide bucks with these highly needed minerals to help grow bigger and stronger antlers.

2. Better Overall Health

These mineral licks do not only help in antler growth; they also maintain the health of the entire deer herd. Minerals are part of many functions of the body, such as development, bone growth, and immune and reproductive systems. Just like we take vitamins for our personal health, deer and other animals absorb nutrients through the foods that they consume.

Does, in particular, require a constant supply of minerals during pregnancy and lactation so that their fawns may grow and be born healthy?  Also, you’ll be surprised how many other minerals will regularly use a mineral site.  In the past, I’ve observed squirrels, boar, raccoons, coyotes, and black bears regularly at my mineral sites.

3. Higher Survival Rate of Fawns

Especially useful are mineral licks for fawns. A doe in good health and with access to needed minerals while in gestation will be more likely to raise healthy fawns, which will stand a greater chance of surviving. Added up over time, this enhances healthy fawns and survival, translating into larger deer populations on your land.  This is the greatest benefit that I personally see in using minerals.  In fact, the majority of the photos that I capture at mineral sites throughout the spring and summer are does and fawns.

Of course, it’s nice to get big bucks on camera, but starting them out right as fawns with additional nutrition can be dividends for years to come!

4. Improved Herd Management

Placing mineral licks around your property strategically will let you monitor and manage your deer herd well. There’s no magic number of how many mineral sites you need per acre, but it’s not a bad idea to add at least one more!  Mineral sites will all you to track of deer movements and population dynamics when combined with trail cameras.

You can set up trail cameras near sites where minerals are kept to gather data about herd health, buck-to-doe ratios, and the presence of young bucks or mature bucks.  The most important statistic in measuring the overall health of the deer herd might be the age class of bucks and fawn recruitment rates.

5. Greater Hunting Success

The development of mineral licks can lead to better hunting on your land due to increased health and antler quality. With healthier deer, you might see bucks with bigger racks, but the idea is to increase the usefulness and attractiveness of your property. The execution of mineral licks will also keep deer on your property, reducing the opportunities for deer to roam off into surrounding areas where hunting pressure may be far greater.

Keep in mind that deer do not use mineral sites all year long.  As hunting season grows near, deer spend less and less time at mineral sites until after the rigors of the rut, with attraction peaking in late spring and summer.

More on White Tail Deer

White-tail deer are one of the most widely distributed deer species in the whole landmass of North America, from forests to fields. Its behavior, diet, and habitat needs are among some things that may help one in deer management and hunting.  Hunters often try to improve what mother nature has provided by planting food plots, and providing supplemental food sources, and mineral sites.  All of which can help create a healthier deer herd but it’s not going to change genetics.

It’s important to understand that you cannot make a buck bigger than it’s genetically capable of being.  You can supply the necessary nutrients that it’s missing but at the end of the day, it feels good as a land manager to think that we are making a difference.

How I Utilize Minerals to Attract Deer

There are several mineral companies claiming to work wonders for wild whitetail deer, nearly guaranteeing that bucks will have bigger racks if you use their product.  However, I’ve been using minerals to inventory wild whitetail deer for more years than I can count and have never seen a difference in antler size.

Mineral sites are a vital aspect of my hunting arsenal as I utilize them to inventory the deer in the area.  Similar to hanging trail cameras over mock scrapes, I inventory the local deer herd and try to form an early-season pattern on a big, unexpected buck.  However, I can’t think of a single successful hunt in which I’ve killed a buck over a mineral site.

In fact, I don’t even bother hanging a treestand in the area anymore as they lose their attractiveness as hunting season gets closer.  Knowing this, it’s a great way to take an inventory of the bucks and fawns in the area.  I’ve used a lot of minerals throughout the year, but my preferred deer mineral to start a mineral lick is Trophy Rock Four65.  Trophy Rock has a high salt concentration, which aids in it’s attractiveness.

The granular version of the original 12 pound Trophy Rock is absorbed into the ground or stump quicker, plus a bear won’t roll the little piece of Four65 away like they have been known to do to original rock.  I’ve lost a bunch of them through the years to bears!

Some Practical Tips on How to Use Mineral Licks

• Location: The locality of the mineral licks is best in areas that the deer would naturally travel through, such as trails and bedding areas near water sources.  For me, I prefer areas near water sources but not right beside it.  Also, the soil type makes a difference.
• Timing: While mineral licks can be of value to a deer herd throughout the year, they are really most effective during the antler-growing season and late season when other natural foods are at their minimum.  A lot of hunters start mineral sites out during hunting season and that’s not the best time to.  Instead, start them early in the spring and refresh them often.
• Monitor: In addition to adding minerals to the food plot, be sure to use trail cameras to monitor the licks for information about the health and habits of your deer herd.  Mineral sites are a great way to take inventory of bucks during the summer months.
• Be Legal:  The most important tip on this list is to make sure and check your local regulations regarding the use of mineral licks; some areas have specific restrictions.
• Don’t Hunt Over Mineral Sites:  One of the biggest mistake that hunters make with mineral sites is that they react to the amount of deer activity in the area throughout the summer and they hang a treestand nearby thinking they’re going to kill a buck over their mineral sites.  Instead, keep your distance and let the deer have a safe space.  Mineral sites are visited less frequently as hunting season heats up.

Conclusion

In theory, mineral licks should help to make your whitetail deer herd healthier and more robust. Advantages include better rack development, improved general health, stronger fawn survival, and easier management. Proper nutrition allows a deer to reach its genetic potential, so don’t buy into the marketing schemes of turning 120’s into Booners.

Mineral sites are a fun way to take inventory of your local deer herd and a small way that we can give back to wildlife that we continuously take from.  Make sure you keep them freshened up and keep your trail cameras running because you’ll be amazed at how many animals will be attracted to them throughout the year.